This federal recognition for Virginia's native peoples is long overdue.
But, I want to be clear--the Lumbee do NOT want recognition on the backs of other tribes.
Only recognition.
I get concerned when I hear about easing of sanctions to satisfy some of our concerns.
The Senate had not passed a budget in 4 years, and we passed one on the 23rd of March.
It is not the Department of State's fault, and it is not the administration's fault that Congress has not passed a budget.
We have been blocked in doing it 19 times.
We should not put service members into initiating battle, putting people into harm's way if they do not have a consensus behind them.
I think that would be one of the best things the opposition could do is make that plain.
It is a principle of international law and American law: no use of weapons of mass destruction against civilians.
I hope Congress still cares about the principle.